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Who Will Qualify for the Champions League from the Premier League?

Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team’s equalizer against Liverpool on February 4. (Getty Images)
Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team’s equalizer against Liverpool on February 4. (Getty Images)
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Who Will Qualify for the Champions League from the Premier League?

Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team’s equalizer against Liverpool on February 4. (Getty Images)
Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team’s equalizer against Liverpool on February 4. (Getty Images)

Manchester City look certain to win this season’s Premier League title, but below them the battle for the three remaining Champions League places continue. Several games ahead could go a long way towards deciding how the season ends for the top clubs.

Remaining fixtures between the five teams: Tottenham vs. Arsenal (February 10), Manchester United vs. Chelsea (February 25), Manchester United vs. Liverpool (March 10), Chelsea vs. Tottenham (April 1), Manchester United vs. Arsenal (April 28), Chelsea vs. Liverpool (May 5).

European games could impact race for top four

The race for the top four places could well be decided by how the teams do in this season’s edition. Chelsea face Barcelona in the last 16 and it is almost impossible to see them get through considering their form, but I expect Antonio Conte to sort out their domestic performances and stay in the top four. United will make it too, considering their point advantage and the fact that they play Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at home in the run-in. Then it is down to Spurs or Liverpool for the fourth slot and Mauricio Pochettino’s team may well just nick it. They looked fresher than Liverpool last weekend and may also be eliminated by Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League and therefore able to focus on the league and the FA Cup. (Marcus Christenson)

Verdict: Manchester United (2nd), Tottenham (3rd), Chelsea (4th) to qualify

Chelsea turmoil could play into Tottenham hands

Manchester United already boast a buffer of sorts from those at their back and their run-in seems relatively kind, the derby across the city aside. The real intrigue lies in Tottenham Hotspur’s ability to whip up momentum, unbeaten as they are since mid-December and with that intriguing clash at Stamford Bridge still to come. They may have more about them this time around to avoid their customary stutter in the run-in. Arsenal’s inconsistencies, particularly away from home, may hamper their challenge, and the identity of the fourth team may hinge upon Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea on the penultimate weekend. That has the makings of another nail-biter, conjuring memories of Jesper Gronkjaer’s winner in May 2003, but the sense of turmoil gripping the champions at present suggests only one winner. (Dominic Fifield)

Verdict: United, Tottenham, Liverpool

Arsenal too far off pace despite new signings

Chelsea’s 2018 downturn has opened the competition for Champions League qualification when previously it had looked like a clamor for fourth place between several clubs. Tottenham can be the major beneficiaries unless Antonio Conte, or whoever is in charge at Stamford Bridge, arrests the decline quickly. Big January signings should bring fresh impetus to United and Arsenal although the latter have a lot of ground to make up even with, on paper, an easier run-in. That leaves Liverpool to repay Jürgen Klopp’s faith that, without Philippe Coutinho, he has sufficient strength and quality to maintain year-on-year progress. (Andy Hunter)

Verdict: United, Liverpool, Tottenham

North London derby could shape top four

Right now, it is easy to fear that Chelsea and Arsenal will be the clubs to fall short. The momentum is against Chelsea at an inopportune time and, when behind-the-scenes squabbling spills out into the open, it can only be destabilizing. Give players an excuse and they will take it. Arsenal’s trip to Wembley for Saturday’s derby against Tottenham has taken on seismic importance. Lose, and their top-four dream could die. The club’s away form has been unacceptable. Liverpool and Tottenham have the verve to put themselves on the right side of the cut-off while Manchester United would have to slip catastrophically. (David Hytner)

Verdict: United, Liverpool, Tottenham

Tottenham could go past Liverpool

Chelsea’s alarming plunge in form suggests Conte’s side will be the ones to drop out of the top four of the current group by season close. Much depends on how the Italian’s future is resolved. If Chelsea fail to arrest the slide Tottenham Hotspur appear to be the most likely beneficiaries and a sneaking suspicion here says Pochettino’s side also may leapfrog Liverpool to finish third. There is no doubt that Manchester United will claim the second berth they occupy due to the addition of Alexis Sánchez and José Mourinho’s managerial nous. And sixth-placed Arsenal? Their perennial flakiness will cost them again. (Jamie Jackson)

Verdict: United, Tottenham, Liverpool

Europa League the focus for Arsenal

The only real shade of doubt is that old favorite, the Battle For Fourth Place. United have a lot of points already. Liverpool surely have too much scurrying brilliance up front to take a dive now. Chelsea are busy going through one of their cyclical episodes. If Harry Kane plays two-thirds of the remaining league games Tottenham should have the Champions League spot their good husbandry deserves. New-model ageing galáctico Arsenal look more of a threat than they did two weeks ago, but winning the Europa League might be a more achievable goal. (Barney Ronay)

Verdict: United, Liverpool, Tottenham

United could slip on way to second

Right now you would have to say Chelsea look most like missing out, because they are the ones losing games, putting in chaotic performances and looking as though a change of manager might be imminent. That said, Chelsea are also the club most likely to implement decisive change and perk up quickly, always assuming the hierarchy does not tire of these biannual crises. At the moment, however, Chelsea are in ongoing disarray and looking likely to be overtaken by Spurs, who are going well. So it is the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Spurs for my top four. City to be champions, obviously, though United are not necessarily nailed-on as runners-up. (Paul Wilson)

Verdict: United, Liverpool, Tottenham

The Guardian Sport

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Algeria Hope to Turn Talent into Results on World Cup Return

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
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Algeria Hope to Turn Talent into Results on World Cup Return

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Algeria return to ‌the World Cup for the first time since 2014 carrying the familiar mix of promise, pressure and unpredictability that has long defined one of Africa's most gifted footballing nations.

Drawn in Group J alongside holders Argentina, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan, the Desert Foxes face a stern test of whether their gifted squad can finally deliver on the biggest stage.

The years since Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph have brought more frustration than fulfilment.

Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after ‌a dramatic playoff ‌defeat by Cameroon still lingers, while the ‌2025 ⁠Nations Cup ended ⁠in disappointment despite a perfect group-stage campaign. Algeria looked among the favorites before a quarter-final loss to Nigeria revived doubts over their ability to deliver in decisive moments.

Captain Riyad Mahrez remains the team's creative focal point.

The former Manchester City winger, now playing in Saudi Arabia, still dictates Algeria's rhythm with his composure ⁠and technical quality, but the side are increasingly ‌looking to a younger generation ‌to ease the burden.

Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura has emerged as one of ‌Algeria's main attacking threats, offering pace and directness alongside ‌Mahrez's craft.

Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri brings energy and attacking thrust from left back, while young winger Adil Boulbina has added to the growing sense of long-term promise around the squad.

Yet uncertainty continues to ‌shadow Algeria.

Coach Vladimir Petkovic has struggled at times to mould the side's attacking talent into a ⁠cohesive unit, ⁠while defensive inconsistency has repeatedly undermined their progress in major tournaments.

A goalkeeping crisis has added to the concerns.

Anthony Mandrea has been ruled out, while Luca Zidane and Melvin Mastil have both been called up despite injury problems, prompting Algeria to turn to Oussama Benbot despite his recent international retirement.

Benbot stepped away from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Nations Cup in Morocco earlier this year, but the USM Alger goalkeeper has been recalled to the squad.

His reputation has risen after helping his club to win the African Confederation Cup with a shootout victory over Egypt's Zamalek in May.

Sports

Forward Al‑Tamari Headlines Jordan’s First World Cup Squad

Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - South Korea v Jordan - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea - March 25, 2025 Jordan coach Jamal Sellami before the match. (Reuters)
Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - South Korea v Jordan - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea - March 25, 2025 Jordan coach Jamal Sellami before the match. (Reuters)
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Forward Al‑Tamari Headlines Jordan’s First World Cup Squad

Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - South Korea v Jordan - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea - March 25, 2025 Jordan coach Jamal Sellami before the match. (Reuters)
Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - South Korea v Jordan - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea - March 25, 2025 Jordan coach Jamal Sellami before the match. (Reuters)

Jordan coach Jamal Sellami

has announced his 26-man squad for the World Cup in North America, the country’s first appearance in the tournament.

Sellami

will rely on Stade Rennais forward Mousa Al-Tamari to lead the team in a ‌tough Group ‌J.

The Jordan Football Association ‌posted ⁠a video on ⁠Instagram of the Moroccan coach unveiling the squad.

Jordan will play a friendly against Colombia on June 8.

They will begin their World Cup ⁠campaign against Austria on ‌June 17 ‌in San Francisco, before facing Algeria ‌on June 23, and defending ‌champions Argentina five days later.

Jordan squad:

Goalkeepers: Yazeed Abu Laila – Abdullah Al-Fakhouri – Noor Bani Attieh.

Defenders: Abdullah Nasib – ‌Saad Al-Rosan – Yazan Al-Arab – Saleem Obeid – Mohammad Abu ⁠Al-Nadi – ⁠Hossam Abu Al-Dahab – Ehsan Haddad – Anas Bani – Muhannad Abu Taha – Mohammad Abu Hasheesh.

Midfielders: Noor Al-Rawabdeh – Nizar Al-Rashdan – Ibrahim Saadeh – Rajaei Ayed – Amer Jamous – Mohammad Al-Daoud – Mahmoud Al-Mardi.

Forwards: Mousa Al-Tamari – Ouda Al-Fakhouri – Mohammad Abu Zraiq – Ali Azaizeh – Ibrahim Sabra – Ali Olwan.

Sports

From Rocafonda to the World Cup: Lamine Yamal’s Meteoric Rise

Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter-final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter-final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal. (Reuters)
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From Rocafonda to the World Cup: Lamine Yamal’s Meteoric Rise

Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter-final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter-final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates after Dani Olmo scores their first goal. (Reuters)

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will play at a record sixth World Cup in 2026, but years from now the tournament may instead be remembered as Lamine Yamal's first.

From the concrete square in Mataro the Spanish 18-year-old used to play in, to the biggest stages in world football, his rise has been dazzling.

His uncle Abdul Nasraoui used to keep a small replica World Cup trophy in his bakery in the humble neighborhood of Rocafonda, a 20-mile (32-kilometer) crawl up the Catalan coast from Barcelona, telling people it was for when his nephew wins it.

Abdul had the trophy before Yamal even debuted for Spain, because he knew something special was coming. Many claim they did, in Rocafonda, but importantly for Barca it was Jordi Roura who got there first.

Alerted to Yamal by a scout, Barcelona's then youth football chief Roura and close colleague Aureli Altimira pounced. In the chaos of a trial match, Lamine stood out.

"We were there with Aureli and at the beginning we saw him and he looked a bit odd, kind of scrawny, he moved a bit strangely, and we said, 'hmm let's see...'," Roura tells AFP.

"Then once they start playing, it's difficult, right? Because imagine 20 kids of seven, eight years old, all chasing the ball.

"Even so, Lamine would sometimes do something where you'd go, 'Damn!'. Instead of just running after the ball, sometimes he would find space, wait, look for his left foot, execute really quickly."

One attribute, honed on the square where if your feet aren't fast enough to swerve defenders you can end up on the concrete, marked out little Lamine.

"Dribbling might be the most innate technical action, right?" says Roura. "It's hard to train a dribbler. He had that. He would feint, do things which made you say 'wow'.

"We thought this kid had something special, even if he looked a bit slight, and decided to sign him."

Negotiations were quick with Lamine's father Mounir Nasraoui from Morocco, and his mother Sheila Ebana, from Equatorial Guinea.

He was a quiet, even shy child, who loved to play football and spent a lot of time with his paternal grandmother, Fatima.

She was the first of the family to move to Spain, arriving on a ferry from Tangier in 1990 and slowly bringing across her children in the following years.

Fatima settled in Rocafonda and remains there, although Mounir, after being stabbed during an altercation in 2024, has since relocated to the upmarket Barcelona neighborhood of Sarria.

After Lamine's parents split up when he was three, he also lived with his mother in Roca del Valles, north of Mataro, but Rocafonda was always home.

It is represented in his goal celebration, using his hands to show the numbers 304, the last digits of the neighborhood's postcode.

Now even in the more well-to-do parts of Mataro the number appears.

Rocafonda is north-east of the elegant center, a neighborhood with a negative reputation for crime and poverty, although now it is famous for being where Lamine came from.

Glance down the right street and you can catch a narrow glimpse of sweet Mediterranean blue.

The winger and his father are spotted less frequently there now, but the games go on, with players duking it out in front of a mural of Lamine, painted in 2025.

"With all these great players... they're capable of doing the same, or more than they did when they were children, and that's very difficult, very rare, and that's why they're the chosen ones," said Roura.

"(Lamine) enjoys playing, and I think that even when he was very little, when the challenge was greater, when a game was harder, that's when he liked it the most, you know?"

- 'No limits' -

Not everyone has the accuracy of the neighborhood's "idol" and an "example" as youngsters sitting and waiting for a chance to play describe him.

The ball is lashed high over the fence that divides the concrete pitch from the road, to howls of frustration.

The kids call to a passer-by, before one player zips past on an electric scooter to retrieve it.

But for the interception, it may have rolled down the road and past the bar run by Lamine's uncle, "Familia LY 304", since he gave up his bakery.

Over the past three years Abdul has answered plenty of questions about Lamine, but with concerns over the winger's fitness heading into the World Cup, he doesn't feel like speaking for now.

On a shelf behind the bar, sits his replica trophy. Abdul's dream, just three years after Lamine made his professional debut aged just 15, could come true remarkably quickly.

"When you see the resume he already has at 18, it's scary, so what this kid can achieve has no limits," added Roura.

Yamal was still studying for his exams during Spain's run to Euro 2024 glory, where he captured the world's attention with a sensational strike against France.

That moment is memorialized on one wall of the bar, along with others from the winger's short yet glittering career for club and country, along with two framed shirts.

Nearly three decades after arriving from Morocco, Abdul is still happy working. He sits and eats a few mouthfuls of vegetables before a shout comes from the kitchen and he is on his feet again, bringing dishes, olive oil and bread to customers.

"Ojala -- I hope -- ojala," he says on the prospect of Lamine bringing the real thing back to Rocafonda. "If we win the World Cup, then I'll talk."